If you are a visual personal like me, I hope last week’s post, Entering the Throne Room, changed your prayer life. It was awesome to meet you at the steps and bring our requests to the Lord. 
If you want to read this series from the beginning (click here). If you want to read last week’s post (click here). If you want a complete listing of all post in this series (click here).
I have a question. Do you sit down to pray, close your eyes, and then –
Nothing?
Your brain goes blank and you have no idea what to say? I can say with certainty, “You are not alone.”
What do we say when we pray. Many times people tell us, “Just pray. You should pray about it. Life is hard, pray harder.”
Sometimes we simply do not know what to say.
There are several ideas I want to share with you about the actual words we speak. Let’s look at Jesus. Here he teaches us and his disciples how to pray.
Luke 11:1-13 (NIV)
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
He said to them, “When you pray, say: ” ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ”
Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’
“Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
This example leads off with Jesus teaching us to offer worship to God. This prayer contains a daily request for provision. It is confessing our offenses, offering forgiveness to others and protection from evil. Then it is followed by an example of persistence. Therein also is a powerful promise. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Pray following Christ example. Always, pray from your heart and allow the Holy Spirit to prompt you. In addition, there are times we need to listen. This is difficult for me. For those of you who know me, I am rarely still or silent. (I hear you saying, Amen, right now). A subject for another post.
When the words will not come there is a simple acrostic which will help get you started. ACTS.
A- Adoration
C- Confession
T- Thanksgiving
S- Supplication
This example will help you bring to mind areas you need covered in prayer. However, I don’t want you to be stuck in a formula. Mostly the Lord desires only our presence and willingness. Talk with him as a friend.
Finally, pray all things in the name of Jesus. Again it is by and through Christ that we approach the throne.
Assignment: Although this post discusses the words we speak in prayer, what I am feeling led to ask of you is to spend 30 whole minutes in silence just listening to the Lord. Have your prayer journal waiting and write down what you hear from the Holy Spirit.
Questions:
Next week we are going to discover how God actually speaks to us during prayer. Just a few more lessons. Thank you for staying with me. You are prayer warriors to be sure.
Be Blessed, Lynn
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